Our History

UBC officially established with three Faculties: Arts and Science, Applied Science, and Agriculture

First forestry course implemented at UBC: a four-week course allowing returning war veterans to qualify as forest guards

Department of Forestry authorized at UBC.

UBC’s first B.A.Sc. degrees (Forest Engineering) awarded

First M.A.Sc (Forest Engineering) awarded

UBC Research Forest in Haney, BC obtained

Four-year B.S.F. program authorized

Master of Forestry and Ph.D programs authorized

Faculty of Forestry established

The Canadian Institute of Forestry’s (CIF) main objective is to welcome students to the forestry profession. One way they accomplish this is by offering the Silver Ring marked with a raised tree to each graduating student from an accredited Canadian forestry program. The very first Ring Ceremony was held in 1953 by the UBC Forestry graduating class. By 1967 it became a tradition for all Forestry graduates across Canada to receive a Silver Ring.

This date signifies the welcoming of the Sopron students and staff to the Faculty of Forestry at UBC. The students of the Sopron School of Forestry in Hungary were forced to flee their homeland when the anti-Soviet Revolution failed. The Dean of the Sopron School of Forestry sent letters to 20 countries explaining the necessity for a new home to allow the current students to complete their degrees. The Faculty of Forestry at UBC offered a place for the Sopron students to finish their forestry studies.
Incorporating the Soprons into the Faculty was a major alteration as the Sopron School had 50% more students and three times the number of instructors than the current UBC Faculty at the time. This move was also difficult for the Sopron students who were forced to learn English and immerse themselves in Western culture as quickly as possible. Despite these difficulties, this mass immigration provided BC with a new perspective on forestry and a major contribution to the industry.

Forest Engineers degree program suspended

Departments of Forest Resources Management, Harvesting and Wood Science and Forest Science are established

Majors in Harvesting and Forest Resources Management introduced to the B.S.F. program. Majors in Wood Science and Industry and Forest Science introduced to B.Sc.

Faculty of Forestry acquires the Alex Fraser Research Forest in Williams Lake

NRC program authorized and established

Forest Sciences Centre completed to house the Faculty of Forestry

UBC and UNBC enter an agreement to jointly manage the Aleza Lake Research Forest

Co-op Program is established for all five of the Faculty’s degree programs

Department of Forest Sciences name change to the Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences

New Master of Sustainable Forest Management (MSFM) program authorized and established

MSFM program accredited by the Canadian Forestry Accreditation Board

New Master of International Forestry (MIF) program authorized

MIF program established

New Bachelor of Urban Forestry (BUF) program authorized and established